UConn Men's Basketball: Huskies land Chicago guard Smith

With Michigan State and the Final Four looming on Saturday, the UConn men’s basketball team has preached staying in the moment this week. It’s still working on its future, though.

Matt Stout

With Michigan State and the Final Four looming on Saturday, the UConn men’s basketball team has preached staying in the moment this week. It’s still working on its future, though.

Darius Smith, a 6-foot-2 combo-guard out of Marshall High School in Chicago, verbally committed to the Huskies on Monday night. Regarded as one of the nation’s top unsigned seniors, Smith considered a large list of schools that included Arizona State, Cincinnati, Marquette, UCLA, Memphis and Duke.

He said the Huskies’ up-tempo style and the relationship he had with the coaching staff put them over the top. A top-20 point guard according to Rivals.com and a First Team All-State selection, Smith averaged 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and six steals this past season.

The recent allegations of recruiting violations swirling around the program didn’t scare him away, either.

“I had a lot on my chest, a lot on my mind,” Smith said of the decision. “But they came out and wanted to see about my grades, speak with my mom and really see what kind of person I am. ... That stuck with me.”

Smith joins an incoming class that includes long-time commits and Tilton (N.H.) School teammates Alex Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, as well as Mount Zion guard Jamaal Trice of Los Angeles.

At the moment, it appears UConn has four open scholarships for next season, though that doesn’t account for possible transfers.

A.J. Price, Craig Austrie and Jeff Adrien are slated to exhaust their eligibility following this year and junior Hasheem Thabeet is expected to declare for the NBA Draft. UConn is still considering a frontcourt player for next season as well.

In Smith, the Huskies have acquired a scorer who can play both guard positions in the mold of Price. He’s the program’s first Chicago-area recruit since Marcus White (2002-05).

“It’s what he don’t do and that’s foul out,” Marshall coach Henry Cotton said of Smith. “He does everything. He’s a team player and does what it takes to win. It’s his heart.”

Smith led Marshall to a 19-8 record this past season and a Class 4A sectional appearance.

“He’s ready to move on and get it over with,” Cotton said. “He can get situated with prom and enjoy himself as a regular high school student.”

Smith hasn’t visited the Storrs campus yet, though plans to this spring. He also plans to sign a Letter of Intent during the late signing period, which starts April 15.